Hydroponic gardening is defined as a method of growing crops that do not use soil as the growing medium. Instead, the hydroponic garden uses a water-based nutrient rich solution and the plants are supported using an inert medium like Perlite, Rockwool, or the clay pellets. The main advantage of hydroponic gardening is that you can grow the crops even with limited space. Are you interested in starting your homemade hydroponic garden, in this article; we take you through better ideas to assemble a homemade hydroponic system. We shall discuss the different hydroponic systems that you can simply set up at home.
1. The Passive Bucket Kratky Method
The Kratky method is one of the simplest approaches when building a hydroponic system. With the right supplies, you can easily assemble the passive bucket Kratky method. This can take you a few hours based on your experience level. The passive bucket method is suitable for growers willing to start an outdoor or an indoor hydroponic gardening project. For this, you will need a bucket, suitable hydroponic gardening media, the net pots, hydroponic nutrients, and a PH kit. Before getting started, make sure that you have these supplies. For the passive bucket Kratky system, you can grow green vegetables, lettuce, spinaches, and even fruits.
2. The Simple Bucket Hydroponic system
Take hydroponic gardening to your backyard through the simple bucket hydroponic system. It is a simple gardening system that you can easily set up, you will be required to have a 5-gallon bucket, collect the preferred growing media and also the nutrient solution. This setup uses the growing media for the capillary action. In short, it compared to the wick hydroponic system, as the growing media moves the nutrients up to the plant roots through the capillary action. The system is ideal for large size plants and flowers.
3. The Simple Drip Hydroponic System Using Buckets
This is another option that is ideal for beginners. You can set up this system using cheap locally available materials. Alternatively, you can purchase the supplies from a local store. To start this gardening, you need buckets, a water or solution reservoir, growing media, and water tubes. You will also need the T connectors that fit well on the vinyl tubing, and a drill so that you can make holes on the bucket. The advantage of this system is that you can always expand it in the future to meet your growing demands. However, in case you are planning to expand, you should consider purchasing a larger size reservoir. The buckets to be used should have lids on them.
4. The PVC NFT Hydroponics System
This is another simple approach to assemble a homemade hydroponic garden. You will need large 4 inches PVC pipes, growing media, a water reservoir, and a pump. The plan is ideal for small size plants. The plants are to be placed in cups that are arranged in the holders that are drilled into the PVC pipes.
5. The Hydroponic Grow Box
This is a simple plan that allows you to make a flexible hydroponic system. It is a mobile hydroponic system allowing you to carry it around. The hydroponic grow box can be easily made using a locally available bucket or a sized storage tub or bin. However, make sure that the container comes with a lid. You will also be required to have a PVC pipe, a submersible pump, and an irrigation sprinkler. The irrigation sprinkler is to be used for delivering the nutrients and watering the plants. These plants are housed in the netlike cups that contain the growing media. The net cups are housed on the lid of the box.
6. A Simple Frame Hydroponic System
Using just simple PVC pipes, you can make a homemade hydroponic garden. The wooden rack frame is necessary for supporting the hydroponic system. The system uses the NFT concept for
feeding the nutrients and water to the plants. Therefore, you assemble this system, it is important to have some basic knowledge on how to set up a homemade NFT.
Those are the simple approaches for making a homemade hydroponic garden. These can be deployed using locally available supplies. Remember that you should provide adequate conditions for the plants to grow well.